The Jets will be without Pace for the first four games of the season after the linebacker was suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances, and Rhodes said he believes Gholston will be up to the task of replacing Pace.

“We’ve got capable guys and Gholston has learned the system and is doing better,” Rhodes said of the Jets’ former first-round pick, who struggled last year during his rookie season. “He’s been through a whole year and he’s older. And now he’s going to be more aggressive and attack. But it’s not just him. We’re not going to put all the pressure on him.”

Rhodes, a close friend of Pace, said Pace is doing well but is remorseful.

“He’s doing the best he can,” Rhodes said last night at Justin Tuck’s Celebrity Billiards tournament, benefitting Tuck’s child literacy program, at Slate in Midtown. “He knows he didn’t do the right thing.”

Tuck’s Giants have their own suspension to deal with. New linebacker Michael Boley, who is still recovering from hip surgery, was suspended for the team’s first game stemming from his arrest over a year ago for allegedly punching his wife.

Chase Blackburn played weakside linebacker last year and is ready to play there again if called upon.

“I hope at least I’m competing for the job,” Blackburn said. “I have a lot more confidence than I did last year.”